Can women dream in Afghanistan? The ICC is targeting a qualification pathway for the 2030 Asylum team

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has strengthened its commitment to Afghan refugee women cricketers by supporting the continuation of its Development Pathway Program and setting a target to include the side in ICC qualifying events by 2030. The decision was ratified during the ICC’s annual conference in Edinburgh, where the governing body also created a long-term roadmap for the creation of a special task force.

The move marks a major milestone for a group of players whose cricketing dreams were broken after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. The regime’s crackdown on women’s education and sports effectively wiped out women’s cricket in the country, forcing dozens of players to flee and rebuild their lives in exile. Many eventually found refuge in Australia, others settled in England and Canada.

The revamped task force includes representatives from the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), along with ICC independent director Dr. Ros Rivaz and ICC Board of Directors Member Sarah Keane. Its mandate is to develop a sustainable high-performance structure that would enable the refugee team to participate in ICC qualification tours by the end of the decade.

“I am honored to join the ICC Special Task Force and contribute to this important initiative,” said Dr Rivaz.

“The Task Force has been tasked with developing a clear and sustainable plan that supports the continued development of Afghan refugees in cricket through structured coaching, meaningful competitive opportunities and appropriate high-performance pathways.”

FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TALIBAN TO EXILE

The Afghanistan Cricket Board awarded contracts to 25 female players in early 2021, but a Taliban takeover later that year abruptly ended organized women’s cricket in the country. Several players were forced into hiding before fleeing Afghanistan through dangerous routes.

Australia played a key role in keeping the team alive. Cricket Australia has helped secure humanitarian visas for many players and their families, as well as integrating them into local clubs and training programs. The refugee side played their first match in exile in Melbourne in January 2025 under the name “Afghan Women’s XI”.

The ICC later established a dedicated support program in partnership with Cricket Australia, the ECB and the BCCI, which provides funding, coaching, fitness support and training opportunities in the host countries.

SUPPORTING ENGLAND AND THE WAY TO 2030

England also proved to be a key ally in the resurgence of Afghan women’s cricket. In the past year, the ECB has helped organize tours and training camps, allowing the players to reunite and compete together. The tours to India and England have strengthened the players’ belief that international cricket remains within reach.

Afghan cricketer Firooza Afghan spoke about the importance of these opportunities.

“Over the past year, the opportunities to come together as a group and tour India and England have given us some of the most memorable experiences of our lives. The support to train at our home venues with quality coaches has played a big part in our progress,” she said.

“Taking a long-term view of participating in ICC qualification tours gives us a clear target to work towards and we are determined to make the most of every opportunity along the way.”

For the Afghan players, the ICC’s 2030 target represents much more than just a cricketing milestone. It offers hope that despite displacement and years of uncertainty, they will once again have the opportunity to compete on the international stage.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

14 Jul 2026 11:38 IST